Ad revenue decline at Trinity Mirror

TRINITY Mirror today reflected the sharp dip in consumer confidence over the last two months.

The publishing giant's chairman Sir Victor Blank told shareholders at today's annual meeting: 'Whilst trading was ahead of expectations for the first two months, the advertising market softened during March and April.

It is too early to determine the implications of recent trends in advertising revenues, partly due to the timing of Easter and uncertainties created by the general election.

He added: 'The board continues to have confidence in its performance-based strategy and anticipates a satisfactory outcome for the year.'

For the first four months of the year regional ad revenues at the group, headed by Sly Bailey, are up 4% with most areas strong apart from recruitment and vehicles.

Circulation revenues for the regionals rose 4.8%. At the national titles, ad revenues in the UK fell 3.9% and circulation revenues rose 1.6%.